Fabulous February!

February has been jam-packed with blessings!

"With God, all things are possible!" - Matthew 19:26

First and closest to our hears is Hocaba. God has been absolutely pouring out blessings in Hocaba and to Tim and I as we spend time there. Our Wednesday night bible study is the biggest blessing in our time here.

The kids are dedicated, consistent, and growing like little weeds. It is amazing to see how the kids are now compared to our first couple months in Mexico last year. It was hard getting them to open up to us and be comfortable around us. In fact for the first 6 months they wouldn't say a peep. Now - wow the difference is amazing. They are interested in everything we teach them about God and listen intently, ask questions, answer my questions and are growing spiritually. It is such an incredible feeling to know that these kids have grown to love and trust us so deeply. God is Good!

We have had some particularly note-worthy bible study nights these last couple weeks. In fact, 2 Wednesdays ago was the best night we'd ever shared with these special, intelligent, happy kids! So for that nights project we were goign to make bottle flute and make a song (basically filling glass bottle with different levels of water to make different notes and make a song). I drove a few kids with me to buy sodas to drink so we could use the bottle. I shut off the car at the store "downtown" Hocaba. This turned out to be a beautiful mistake!

The car wouldn't start. Eeeeeeeeee. Still wouldn't start. Eeeeeeeeee. Nope. So we walk the 15 mins back to church. Tim jokingly asks the kids if they want to go get the car and push it back. They all yell "yeah!" So we set out. On the walk to get the car, I tell them the Bible story of Elijah and his victory against the prophets of Baal.

I am still a gimp so I got to steer while 8 little kids and Tim push the car back to church. This takes about 30 joyous minutes!

Every speed bump - all 4 of them - was a mini-victory marked by an eruption of shouts of joy from the kids. On the trip, we all busted out into song at the top of our voices singing "Jesus loves me," "Father Abraham," and "Every Move I make" in Spanish as we marched along pushing the car. After a particularly difficult mini-hill was achieved the kids bursted into the chant "Si Dios puede, si Dios puede" (Yes, God can, Yes, God can)!

This night was incredible, not only did we do a random, fun activity together, but it truly bounded us as a group. From that night forward, we can tell the group is more unified. The same kids come every week and there is a sense of trust and bond between them and us as leaders, but also between the kids. This is so important. Me and Tim unfortunately won't be in Hocaba forever, but these kids will. Now that they are invested in church and eachother it is much more likely that they will continue going to church and God-willing become the future leaders in the church and in Hocaba.

After we got the car back we all laid down under the stars and talked about the greatness and grandure of God, discuss heaven and marveled at the stars. Best night in Hocaba ever. God is So So incredible.

Both Tim and I got teary-eyed seperate times that evening realizing that our time here is limited. There are a few things I'll miss about Merida, but as far as school and Merida goes, I am appreciating the time we have left, but won't be too sad to leave. But Hocaba, just the idea of leaving breaks my heart. I love those kids so much, and feel so invested in the church and congregation. It is going to so hard to leave - but we are determined to use our time we have left to the best of our ability and more importantly to God's glory! And we have decided to continue financially supporting Hocaba for the long term.

I did a clothes drive at school with my 3rd graders and got lots of kids clothes, and shoes to donate to Hocaba. The kids in Merida were excited to be involved and the kids in Hocaba were blessed to receive:

One way that we are trying to use this precious time left to the best we can is by investing more deeply in kids lives. There are 3 kids that are older - 10, 12, and 13 that we are going to have stay at our house on the weekends, to get to know them better and just invest in them.

Last weekend we had Neftali, 10, stay with us. It was wonderful. We took her to Celestun with Tim's aunt who was visiting - aunt Kristi. Celestun was beautiful. We got to see flamingos, a crystal clear cenote with lots of fish, and a crazy huge and beautiful bird.

It was so fun to see her wide-eyed at everything she saw. It was only the 2nd time in her life she's been to the ocean. Her first time on a boat,

her first time building a sand castle.

So Aunt Kristi was here for a full week - what a great trip!!! It was fun for me especially to get to know her personally. With her we went to Celestun, Uxmal and caving, school, downtown Merida, and Cuzama.

She also got to go to Hocaba bible study with us, and our Thursday bible study with our friends.

It was wonderful showing her our lives and the interesting thing the Yucatan has to offer! Thanks for coming Kristi!

Some quick updates:

1. I (Kari) am starting to teach English classes with Monica Saturdays 10-12 for adults at our church or school. We start March 12.

2. I am teaching flute lessons which is actually really fun! It is coming back quickly even though I haven't played since 6th grade!

3. Tim now teaching private lessons 9-12 Saturdays, after school Tuesday and Thursdays.

4. My knee is WAY better since the accident 3 weeks ago, but still concerning because it hurts after walking 5 minutes or so and running is till out of the question - please pray for wisdom to know what I should do.

5. Wednesday we are surprising the kids and buying new chairs and tables for Sunday school to replace the crappy plastic ones many of which are broken or breaking.

6. Construction in Hocaba is going to pick up again next week.

7.Please keep Hocaba's physical growth, and spiritual growth in your prayers.

GOD IS SO GOOD!

ps I cooked Tim a special Valentine's day dinner: Philly Cheesteak subs, potato skins, and veggie sticks with Ranch, beer and ice cream: